A TOP Hollywood producer is set to shoot a multi-million pound movie in Bolton.

Gary Kurtz, the man behind some of cinema's biggest box office hits such as Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, is due to visit the town in the next few months.

And Mr Kurtz plans to tell his movie friends Steven Speilberg and George Lucas of his planned Bolton film venture.

His trip will come as a crew prepares to film the true story of former drug addict Stephen Smith who left the streets of Deane behind him to become a successful businessman.

Yesterday London-based Mr Kurtz, 58, confirmed that 'scouts' had already completed a recce of the town to see if it will fit the Hollywood bill.

And Bolton townsfolk could even have the chance to feature as extras in the big screen production which will be seen across the world. Now, as the screen play nears completion, both Mr Kurtz and Mr Smith say they plan to visit Bolton to complete a double-check on its film location potential. Yesterday the American movie man, who also produced American Graffiti, said: "The screen play is being worked on right now and the intention is to start the filming towards the end of the year.

"The casting will not be done until the budget is set in stone. It will be a fairly small picture by Hollywood standards, with a budget of between eight and ten million pounds.

"We do intend to film in a number of areas around the country and one of these is the Bolton area.

"Of course we are talking about events which happened 20 years ago but if the area is the same as Stephen remembers it we will be able to use it." And Mr Kurtz believes the film could provide the launchpad for aspiring actors rather than material for established stars.

He added: "The major star personality types would just not be appropriate for this film. It would mean we would lose all our credibility."

Directors are currently being interviewed for the project but Mr Kurtz said he will mention it to his mates Speilberg and Lucas.

He said: "I don't get to see them that much because they live in California but I tell them about my projects when we talk."

The film, with the working title Addict - based on Mr Smith's autobiography - will chart his life of drugs, crime, abuse and ultimate success when he left his seedy past behind him.

British and European cash will be put up to finance the film which it is hoped will receive an international audience.

Initial plans have been made to shoot some scenes in Deane, Bolton, where Mr Smith says he spent a few months living in a squat, battling his drug abuse and alcoholism. He says he lived destitute in the town for some months after being thrown off a train at Bolton station, and also spent time at Oldham, Preston, Wigan and Manchester.

Speaking from Munich, where he now lives, Mr Smith, 56, said: "You could say it's a Hollywood film because it will get a big release in America.

"I can't really remember too much of my time in Deane because I was in a haze.

"Last year I came back to have a look at the area but it was very upsetting for me. It was like I was looking at a shadow of my former self. I threw so much of my life in the dust bin."

Anyone interested in being an "extra" should write to Gary Kurtz, c/o 2 Blake Close, Galley Common, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 9RQ.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.